There is so much wrong with the world, or rather with our country, right now. A pandemic that is probably slowed for the moment, but could come roaring back at any time. A government tilting strongly toward repression. A righteous anger among the people that is spilling into violence.
Everything is changing so fast that by the time this message is published everything could have changed again. But let’s take these crises one at a time.
Contra Costa County has implied that outdoor worship services of less than 100 people could commence as of June 15. I don’t see too many of us gathering in the parking lot in the freezing wind of a Richmond summer evening for Kabbalat Shabbat. But it could happen…In the meantime a reopening strategy is being developed.
The current government? I have devoted a lot of space to my opinion on this topic. Whether you agree or disagree with me – VOTE!
The thorniest issue is the rioting that has occurred since the murder of George Floyd. Is violence ever justified? Certainly it is in self-defence. Rabbi Kertesz has told me more than once “every Jew should know how to use a gun.” Is trashing corporate and chain stores self defense against the oppression that truly does exist? What about trashing neighborhood businesses and mom-and-pop stores? I don’t know the answer. I have heard compelling arguments on both sides. While I have witnessed and been the target of anti-semitism I have never feared for my life when getting pulled over for a minor traffic violation.White privilege is real. Racism is real.
And then there is the evidence that the protesters are NOT the ones instigating violence. I have seen many videos of people dressed all in black armed with hammers, coordinating their destruction via walkie-talkies. People who for whatever reason are using other’s pain as an excuse for their own agenda. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said 80% of those arrested are from out of state (May 29, 2020 KIMT – TV). My gut feeling is they think they can get away with it and the protesters will be blamed.
The question I do not know the answer to is how do we fix that? How do we repair the world? I do believe that GRIP and Food For Thought are two ways to level the playing field by making sure all children have enough nutrition to achieve their potential. Perhaps that is enough. But still the yearning to do more burns within.
From the President – June 4, 2020
June 5, 2020 by tbhrich •
Some days I don’t even know what to pray for.
There is so much wrong with the world, or rather with our country, right now. A pandemic that is probably slowed for the moment, but could come roaring back at any time. A government tilting strongly toward repression. A righteous anger among the people that is spilling into violence.
Everything is changing so fast that by the time this message is published everything could have changed again. But let’s take these crises one at a time.
Contra Costa County has implied that outdoor worship services of less than 100 people could commence as of June 15. I don’t see too many of us gathering in the parking lot in the freezing wind of a Richmond summer evening for Kabbalat Shabbat. But it could happen…In the meantime a reopening strategy is being developed.
The current government? I have devoted a lot of space to my opinion on this topic. Whether you agree or disagree with me – VOTE!
The thorniest issue is the rioting that has occurred since the murder of George Floyd. Is violence ever justified? Certainly it is in self-defence. Rabbi Kertesz has told me more than once “every Jew should know how to use a gun.” Is trashing corporate and chain stores self defense against the oppression that truly does exist? What about trashing neighborhood businesses and mom-and-pop stores? I don’t know the answer. I have heard compelling arguments on both sides. While I have witnessed and been the target of anti-semitism I have never feared for my life when getting pulled over for a minor traffic violation.White privilege is real. Racism is real.
And then there is the evidence that the protesters are NOT the ones instigating violence. I have seen many videos of people dressed all in black armed with hammers, coordinating their destruction via walkie-talkies. People who for whatever reason are using other’s pain as an excuse for their own agenda. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said 80% of those arrested are from out of state (May 29, 2020 KIMT – TV). My gut feeling is they think they can get away with it and the protesters will be blamed.
The question I do not know the answer to is how do we fix that? How do we repair the world? I do believe that GRIP and Food For Thought are two ways to level the playing field by making sure all children have enough nutrition to achieve their potential. Perhaps that is enough. But still the yearning to do more burns within.
I wish I knew what to do.